When to feed and How?

[jgarzasr]

I have two hives over wintering here in Michigan... or at least one still over wintering - and would like some advice.  The other day I put my ear up to my hives and hive #1 is buzzing - and sounding good.  This was my good hive, that built up good stores, and had a very low mite count.  Hive #2 does not make any sound - I assume it is dead.  This Hive built up a lot of brood but was not good in building up stores - and they also had a high mite count.  I treated both hives w/ surrocide - but not sure how effective it was.  Anyway - the question I have is  - I would like to see hive #1 make it through the next month of winter - but I know their stores have to be getting low.  what is the best way to begin winter feeding them to make it through?  (dry sugar, candy boards?) any info would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Also would anyone know why hive #2's mite count was higher even though these two hives were side by side?  Could it be that since Hive #2 - was raising so much more brood?  They were still mostly brood in September/October - when Hive #1 had built up the top deep with all honey for winter stores.  

I am still learning bee management - and it could have been my mistake.

[Robo]

Not sure where you are listening to the hives,  but just because you can not hear anything in hive #2 doesn't mean they aren't alive (though in most cases you are probably correct, but find out for sure).  They could just be a smaller cluster (possibly due to higher varroa) that hasn't consumed as much stores and still lower in the hive.   I would start by removing the cover and looking down thru the inner cover, perhaps even blowing thru the hole.  Slowly dig down from the top until you either hear them or find them dead.

As far as feeding hive #1,  I would first make sure they don't already have sufficient stores.  Besides "hefting" the hive (grab the bottom board and pick up on one end to feel how heavy they are),  you can also pop the cover and peak down thru the whole in the innercover.  If you see capped honey and the cluster is not right at the top,  they still have stores.   If the cluster is right at the top and you don't see sufficeint stores,  I would suggest feeding them candy over the inner cover hole.   There is probably still enough Winter left in your area that syrup is not a good idea.

Here is some more info and pictures of how I emergency feed.

[TwT]

sounds to me like Robo got it covered in his answer................

[jgarzasr]

Thanks Robo for the reply.  One other question - what would be the lowest temp that I could remove the covers and check and add candy boards if needed?  Today the temp is high 40 and sunny - is that too low?  I would think so - just want opinion.  After the weather we've been having (below zero) - if feels like spring out there.

[Robo]

Can't really give an exact answer to this one.   It should not be based solely on temperature.  Wind and sun conditions need to be taken into consideration as well as how much you plan to dig into the hive.  If it is not windy and the temperature is above freezing,  you can take off the top cover and inspect down thru the inner cover hole without issue.   If you find it necessary to dig down further into the hive and expose the cluster I would wait till the temperature gets into the mid 40s and then be as quick as possible and don't open up the cluster. You have to weigh the crisis as well.  If the bees are on the verge of starvation, waiting a couple days for the temperature to rise might not be an option.

Try to find a calm sunny day if possible.  I also already have empty supers installed between the inner cover and telescoping cover,  which adds a bit of protection from the wind when I pull off the top cover.   It is also much less exposure to put the candy block on top of the inner cover than removing the inner cover to install a sugar board.

Most importantly, have a game plan before you bust it open and have all your stuff ready.  Get in, do what has to be done, and get out as quickly as possible.

Good luck..